TRAPs: the 'elevator-with-an-operator' mechanism

Trends Biochem Sci. 2023 Dec 14:S0968-0004(23)00295-5. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2023.11.006. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTTripartite ATP-independent periplasmic (TRAP) transporters are nutrient-uptake systems found in bacteria and archaea. These evolutionary divergent transporter systems couple a substrate-binding protein (SBP) to an elevator-type secondary transporter, which is a first-of-its-kind mechanism of transport. Here, we highlight breakthrough TRAP transporter structures and recent functional data that probe the mechanism of transport. Furthermore, we discuss recent structural and biophysical studies of the ion transporter superfamily (ITS) members and highlight mechanistic principles that are relevant for further exploration of the TRAP transporter system.PMID:38102017 | DOI:10.1016/j.tibs.2023.11.006

Source: Trends in Biochemical Sciences - December 15, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Authors: James S Davies Michael J Currie Renwick C J Dobson Christopher R Horne Rachel A North Source Type: research